Today’s wine destination couldn’t be any different: Italy. It’s a real must! Like I said in ABOUT, meeting vintners and visiting wineries is very important (not to say fun!). It allows us to broaden our knowledge about wines. In that case, that’s what we’re going to do!
Why Wine Destination: Italy?
Because:
- Italian wines are good!
- as a matter of fact, this is where I’m at, at the moment;
- Italian wines have got a looooong tradition;
- Italian wines are produced all over the country – and there are so many varieties and interesting indigenous grapes!
- there’s a lot to discover in this country – there’s so much more besides Piemonte and Toscana!
- Because…
Italian wines are loved all around the world. Moreover, during this journey, we’re going to discover Italian wineries and Italian food. As a matter of fact, I guess that’s reason enough to jump on this train with me!
Facts and Figures: Italy
- Area: 301,340 sq km (source: ISTAT, 2021);
- Population: 59,257,566 inhabitants (source: ISTAT, 2021);
- Population density: 196.17 per sq km (source: ISTAT, 2021);
- Official language: Italian (some people can also speak German in Alto-Adige, and French in Valle d’Aosta, though);
- Currency: Euro (€);
- International dialling code: +39
- Capital city: Rome (founded in 753 BC);
- Italy surrounds 2 small countries: San Marino (world’s oldest Republic) and Vatican City (world’s smallest country);
- You can reach Italy by: plane, train, ship, bus, car, motorbike or bike;
- Number of airports: 39 (main airports are: Roma Fiumicino, Milano Malpensa, Venezia and Napoli Capodichino);
- Italy boasts 65% of all works of art and monuments of artistic value in the whole world;
- It is also known as “Bel Paese”, which means “Beautiful Country” in Italian;
- Italy is divided into 20 regions:
- Abruzzo
- Basilicata
- Calabria
- Campania
- Emilia-Romagna
- Friuli Venezia Giulia
- Lazio
- Liguria
- Lombardia
- Marche
- Molise
- Piemonte
- Puglia
- Sardegna
- Sicilia
- Toscana
- Trentino-Alto Adige
- Umbria
- Valle d’Aosta
- Veneto
- Hectares under vine: 695,000 (2020) [source: Istat]
- Number of Wineries: 70,000 (2020) [source: Federdoc]
- Annual Production Volume in litres: 50 million hectolitres (2020) [source: Federdoc]
- Annual Export Volume in litres: 20 million hectolitres (2020) [source: Federdoc]
- Number of DOC (Controlled Designation of Origin) Wines: 330 (2023) [source: Federdoc]
- Number of DOCG (Controlled and Guaranteed Designation of Origin) Wines: 77 (2023) [source: Federdoc]
- Number of IGT (Wine with Typical Geographical Indication) Wines: 118 (2023) [source: Federdoc]
- In Italy, there are approximately 545 indigenous grape varieties cultivated in various Italian regions (2022) [source: National Institute of Vine and Wine – Viticulture and Enology Operational Unit].
- Here are some of the most famous Italian indigenous grape varieties:
- Sangiovese
- Nebbiolo
- Barbera
- Montepulciano
- Aglianico
- Primitivo
- Nero d’Avola
- Vermentino
- Moscato d’Asti
Have you ever been to Italy? 🇮🇹
